Hairpiece

ABSTRACT

A new and improved hairpiece is disclosed herein, wherein the hairpiece allows the scalp to breathe by providing holes in the hairpiece itself, which also allows the person to use there own hair if they wish.

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent application, Ser. No. 60/176,704, entitled HAIRPIECE, filed on Jan. 18, 2000. This invention relates to the art of hairpieces and more particularly to a hairpiece that allows the scalp to breathe, and allows the person to use their own hair.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A. Field of the Invention

[0003] B. Description of the Related Art

[0004] One known method of creating an artificial hairpiece is weaving, which is a complicated process whereby hair is built onto a net. This weaving process takes a considerable amount of time, and is not something that can be premanufactured. Also, the resultant weave does not allow the scalp to breathe.

[0005] Another known artificial hairpiece is the common wig, which can be made out of any type of material, including actual human hair. However, wigs are not adjustable, and are generally extremely hot to wear, because the common wig does not allow the scalp to breathe.

[0006] The present invention provides a new and improved hairpiece, which overcomes certain difficulties inherent in the related inventions while providing better overall results.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a hairpiece includes a body, the body made of a non-rigid material, elastic perforations, the perforations being substantially throughout the body, and artificial hair.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the perforations are capable of receiving associated human hair and the perforations are elastically deformable.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the perforations are substantially visually undetectable when not in use, the body is made of a material that allows associated air to pass through the body, and the hairpiece includes adjusting means for adjusting the size of the hairpiece.

[0010] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the hairpiece includes an adjustable band, netting, the netting lining the body of the hairpiece, color, the color being chosen from the group comprising the range of human skin colors, and a mesh portion, the mesh portion encircling the body, the body being made of a transparent material.

[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing and preparing a hairpiece includes the steps of providing a body, the body made of a non-rigid material, perforating the body in multiple places, the perforations being able to accept associated human hair, the perforations being elastically deformable, and attaching artificial hair to the body.

[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the method includes the steps of perforating the body in multiple places, the perforations being able to accept associated human hair, the perforations being elastically deformable, the perforations being substantially visually undetectable when not in use, placing the hairpiece on an associated head, and pulling associated human hair through the perforations.

[0013] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the method includes the steps of tightening the hairpiece by pulling associated human hair through the perforations, providing adjusting means, adjusting the adjusting means to fit the associated head, and providing a color for the hairpiece, the color being chosen from the group comprising the entire range of human skin colors.

[0014] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention is illustrated in the following drawings:

[0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the inventive hairpiece, showing the hairs and the individual holes between the hairs.;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a stretched view of the inventive hairpiece;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a top view of the inventive hairpiece, showing the hairs and individual holes;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the invention.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] With reference now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and not for limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows the artificial hairs 14 that are on the hairpiece 10, as well as the holes 12 in the hairpiece 10, which allow use of the person's own hair. The method of attachment of the artificial hair 14 to the hairpiece 10 is well known in the art, and, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed herein. The holes 12, shown in FIG. 1, allow the scalp to breathe through the hairpiece 10. However, these holes 12 in the hairpiece 10 would not be showing, or open, if no hair is pulled through them. FIG. 1 also shows a mesh portion 16 of the hairpiece 10 that goes on the sides of the wearer's head. The holes or perforations 12, in this embodiment, are located in the body 18 of the hairpiece 10.

[0021] With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hairpiece 10 is shown in the stretched and relaxed states to show the perforations 12. FIG. 2 shows the hairpiece 10 in the stretched position, and perforations 12′ are expanded so that the perforations 12′ can be clearly seen. However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the hairpiece 10 is in the relaxed position, the perforations 12 are virtually undetectable to the naked eye. The fact that the perforations 12 are small and elastic allows the wearer to use their own hair, as well as allowing the addition of artificial hair 14 in any amount. For example, one individual may have a small bald spot and a second individual may be completely bald. The inventive hairpiece 10 would allow both wearers to utilize the same design. One wearer would simply use their own hair, while the other would have more artificial hair 14 added.

[0022] The perforations 12 allow the wearer to use as little or as much of their own hair as they desire. Any amount, or configuration, of perforations 12 may be used, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0023] With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, the inventive hairpiece 10 is made by using an elastic type of fabric that is capable of stretching with a nylon netting (not shown) on the inside. In this embodiment, the perforations 12 are located substantially on the body 18 of the hairpiece 10. The body 18 is made of a transparent material so that the wearer's skin color can show through the hairpiece 10.

[0024] A small hook (not shown), similar to a crochet hook, is used to pull the hair through the body 18 of the hairpiece 10. The artificial hair 14 that is used can be a variety of textures, patterns, and colors. Also any type of hair can be used, including human hair. However, the use of human hair would allow the owner of the hairpiece 10 to cut, blow dry, curl, and style the hairpiece 10 just like their own hair. The inventive hairpiece can also be shampooed, whereas a wig can be dry cleaned only. The more hair that is pulled through the hairpiece 10 by the hook, the tighter the hairpiece 10 becomes, thereby shrinking the size of the perforations 12 in the hairpiece 10. The perforations 12 in the hairpiece 10 are similar to a puncture in a balloon, whereby if the balloon was stretched, one would be able to see the hole, but if the balloon was in a relaxed state the hole would be virtually invisible to the naked eye. This tightening of the hairpiece 10 allows the wearer to fit the hairpiece 10 securely on their head without the aid of adhesives. In this embodiment, the mesh portion 16 is made of a mesh fabric, an example of which is fabric style no. 8542 or no. 8540 manufactured by CMI Industries, Inc. of Greensboro, N.C. However, any type of nonrigid material can be used, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0025] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the inventive hairpiece 10′ would also be adjustable to different size of people's heads using an adjustment band 22, having clips 20, so that the hairpiece 10′ could be adjusted while being worn. The adjustable band 22 is merely one embodiment of the invention, and any means of adjusting the hairpiece could be used as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the perforations 12″ could be rigid and the body 18′ made of a netting-like material. The wearer's own hair could still be drawn through the perforations 12″, and the hair would be held in place by the thickness of the hair and the perforations 12″.

[0026] The hairpiece 10 could also be made in separate sizes, very similar to the sizes that hats come in. The base of the hairpiece 10 could come in a variety of colors, similar to pantyhose, so that people with different colors of skin could chose the proper hairpiece for them.

[0027] The density of hair on the hairpiece 10, 10′ could vary depending on the thickness or thinness of a particular individual's hair. The hair 14 can be placed very close together, or farther apart, and the spacing of the perforations 12, 12′, 12″ could vary as well. The actual number of perforations 12, 12′, 12″, the density of the hair, the placement of the hair in relation to the perforations 12, 12′, 12″, and the texture of the hair used are all simply embodiments of this invention, and are not intended to limit the same.

[0028] The inventive hairpiece 10, 10′ is not limited to any one particular fabric. Any type of fabric may be used as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment. Also, the hairpiece could be all one piece, or in multiple layers.

[0029] The invention has been described with reference to several embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended by applicant to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0030] Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hairpiece comprising: a body, the body made of a non-rigid material; and, elastic perforations, the perforations being substantially throughout the body.
 2. The hairpiece of claim 1 , wherein the hairpiece further comprises artificial hair.
 3. The hairpiece of claim 2 , wherein the perforations are capable of receiving associated human hair.
 4. The hairpiece of claim 3 , wherein the perforations are elastically deformable.
 5. The hairpiece of claim 4 , wherein the perforations are substantially visually undetectable when not in use.
 6. The hairpiece of claim 1 , wherein the body is made of a material that allows associated air to pass through the body.
 7. The hairpiece of claim 1 , wherein the hairpiece further comprises: adjusting means for adjusting the size of the hairpiece.
 8. The hairpiece of claim 7 , wherein the adjusting means is an adjustable band.
 9. The hairpiece of claim 1 , wherein the hairpiece further comprises: netting, the netting lining the body of the hairpiece.
 10. The hairpiece of claim 1 , wherein the body has a color, the color being chosen from the group comprising the range of human skin colors.
 11. The hairpiece of claim 1 , wherein the hairpiece further comprises: a mesh portion, the mesh portion encircling the body, the body being made of a transparent material.
 12. A method for manufacturing and preparing a hairpiece, the method comprising the steps of: providing a body, the body made of a non-rigid material; perforating the body in multiple places, the perforations being able to accept associated human hair, the perforations being elastically deformable; and, attaching artificial hair to the body.
 13. The method of claim 12 , wherein perforating the body in multiple places, the perforations being able to accept associated human hair, the perforations being elastically deformable comprises the step of: perforating the body in multiple places, the perforations being able to accept associated human hair, the perforations being elastically deformable, the perforations being substantially visually undetectable when not in use.
 14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of: placing the hairpiece on an associated head; and, pulling associated human hair through the perforations.
 15. The method of claim 14 , wherein pulling associated human hair through the perforations comprises the step of: tightening the hairpiece by pulling associated human hair through the perforations.
 16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of: providing adjusting means; adjusting the adjusting means to fit the associated head.
 17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises the step of: providing a color for the hairpiece, the color being chosen from the group comprising the entire range of human skin colors. 